While it’s logical to think that noise will keep you up at night, in some cases, the opposite may be true. In fact, noise may be just the thing to lull you to sleep. Let’s explore some of the more popular colors of sound known to help ease us into slumber (via CNET).
If loud traffic, chatty neighbors, or that construction site down the street is causing you to toss and turn, you may benefit from the sounds of white noise. It can be effective in blocking out sounds from the outside world as you sleep, as per The Healthy. Collectively emitting all sound frequencies known to the human ear, the sound of white noise can resemble that of a staticky TV station (via CNET). Similar to white noise is pink noise. While still emitting all audible frequencies, pink noise emits stronger lower frequencies, thereby deepening the sound and giving it a flatter quality, like that of a heartbeat (via Healthline). Even deeper still is brown noise. While it may sound more muffled than white noise, it resonates with stronger bass tones (via CNET).
Depending on whether you have a preference for high-pitched or lower-pitched frequencies, some sounds may be more to your liking than others, according to Bustle. But noise machines aside, are there specific sounds out there that are more soothing to the human ear when it comes to sleep quality?
Tap into the natural sounds around you
Science reveals that the sounds of the natural world can work wonders on our quality of sleep (via The Healthy). One such example includes the rising and falling of ocean waves. Director of the Sleep, Health, and Society Collaboratory at Penn State University Dr. Orfeu Buxton tells The Healthy this is due to the fact that this sound is perceived by the body as non-threatening, thereby allowing us to relax. In fact, a 1992 study published in the American Journal of Critical Care found that listening to the sound of ocean waves improved sleep quality in hospitalized patients following coronary artery bypass surgery.
Alternatively, some people may find comfort in the sound of muffled voices (via The Healthy). While yelling or hollering from a party going on next door isn’t likely to promote sleep, muted voice tones wafting through the walls or some light whispering may be enough to send you off to dreamland.
Lastly, in lieu of a sleep noise machine, you may be able to replicate the sounds of white noise with items already available to you in your home. Experts at Better Sleep say that the steady rhythm of an oscillating fan may have similar sleep-boosting qualities, although more research is needed.
